Who’s Who in Lactation Support

Breastfeeding can be a beautiful journey and it doesn’t have to be one you take alone. There’s a whole community of support out there for parents and babies, from peer volunteers to medical professionals. The tricky part is knowing who’s who.

Not all lactation support looks the same, and that’s a good thing. Different roles bring different levels of training, different scopes of practice, and different kinds of connection. Getting the right kind of help at the right time can make all the difference in reaching your breastfeeding goals. Here’s a breakdown of who’s out there and how each one can help.

All support is valuable support

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here. Support can look like an advocate who’s lived it, a trained counselor, or a clinical professional and all of them play a vital role in helping families succeed. The right fit depends on what you, your patient, or your client actually needs in the moment.

When families can access the full range of lactation support everyone benefits.

Are you looking for lactation support? Check out California Breastfeeding Coalition’s LATCH Directory to find local lactation providers.